Material gathering and loading machine



Nov. 6, 1945.

F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE 1l Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 2, 1943 www Nov. 6, 1945. F. cARTLlDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE ll 'Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug .j

Nov. 6, 1945. F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1943 1l Sheets-Sheet 3 /l TTOR/vey Nov. 6, 1945. F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1945 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 www www no) www! www @www J MQ Nov. 6, 1945. F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2, 1945 maw A TTORNEY NOV. 6, 1945. v F CARTUDGE 2,388,385

MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1943 11 sheets-sheet e gig/ L9 239 M3 240 169 /N vE/v TOR A' gra/2k @litt/ge JTToR/VEV Nov. 6, 1945.

F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2 1943 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 VEN To f? TTO/QNE Y Nov. 6,1945. F. CARTLIDGE 2,388,385

MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE f4 T rom/E Y NOV. 6, 1945. F, CARTUDGE 2,388,385

MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE AFiled Aug. 2, 1943 1l Sheets-Sheet 9 l l l NVENTO@ an/(Cr e 4 Troie/ve Y NOV. 6, 1945. F CARTLIDGE 2,388,385

Y MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1943 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 TQ/M( Cani/idg@ Nov. 6, 1945. F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE med Aug. 2, 194s 11 sheets-sheet 11 Patented Nov. 6, 1945 2,388,385 Y MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHmE vFrank Cartlidge, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 2, 1943, Serial No.-497,004

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in material gathering and loading machines particularly adapted to load coal at the working face of a mine underground.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a new and improved simple and efllcient loading machine of a low overall height suitable for operation in thin seams of coal and arranged with a View towards increased maneuverability and capacity, together with increased accessibility to the operating parts of the machine, and compactness and simplicity in construction.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification 4proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: g

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the front part of a loading machine constructed in accordance with my invention, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shownin section; l

Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear part of the machine shown in Figure 1, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in section, and forms a continuation of Figure 1:

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the front part of the machine shown in Figure l, with certain parts thereof shown in sub- -stantially longitudinal section;

AFigure 4 forms a continuation of Figure 3 and is a view in side elevation of the central part of the machine, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 5 is a continuation of Figure 4 and is a View in side elevation of the rear part of the machine, showing certain parts of the machine broken away and certain other parts in longitudinalsection;

Figure 6 is a detail fragmentary view in side elevation of the rear end of the conveyer, showing certain details of the discharge end of the conveyer and forming a continuation of Figure 5, but drawn to a slightly smaller scale than Figure 5;

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view of the rear part of the machine, with the conveyer removed and certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section, in order to illustrate certaindetails of the drive to certain of the operating parts of the machine;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating certain details of the drive to certain operating parts of the machine shown in Figure 7,

CTI

- gathering mechanism and drive therefor in and illustrating certain details of construction of one of the tread devices for the machine;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 9 9 of Figure 2 and illustrating certain details of the support and elevating means for the discharge end of the conveyer;

Figure 10 is an enlarged `detail partial fragmentary plan view with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal section, showing certain details of the drive to one of the continuous tread devices;

Figure 11 is a partial fragmentary transverse sectional view taken through the drive to one of the continuous tread devices and showing certain details of the machine not shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a partial fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing certain details of the drive to one of the continuous tread devices not shown in Figures 10 and 11;

Figure 13 is a partial fragmentary longitudinal sectional. view showing certain other details of the drive to one of the continuous tread devices than are shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12;

Figure 14 is a plan view somewhat similar to .Figure 1, with the gathering element of the machine shown as being'displaced laterally with respect to the center line of the machine, with certain other parts broken away and shown in horizontal section than in Figure 1,7m order to i1- lustrate certain details of construction of the machine, not shown in Figure 1;

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward part of the machine with certain other parts broken away and shown in section than in Figures l and 14;

Figure 16 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially along line IG-IS of Figure 3 and illustrating certain details of the drive to the gathering mechanism;

Figure 17 is an enlarged view of the front end of the machine showing certain details of the substantially longitudinal'section; c

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the forward part of the machine, illustrating certain details of the front part of the machine; y

Figure 19 is a transverse'sectional View taken substantially along line I9--l9 of Figure. 18; and

Figures 20 and 21 are enlarged detail views illustrating certain details of the articulated holddown guides for the conveyer. l

Referring now to the details of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings. the main elements of the machine consist of a main frame 'I0 mounted on av pair of laterally spaced continuous tread devices I I, II. An inclined gathering element or loading head I2 is disposed in advance of said main frame, and a conveyer I3 extends from said gathering element rearwardly over the main frame and beyond the l rear end of the latter in an overhanging posi tion, so as to discharge material into mine cars or the like. Said conveyer is herein shown as being of a single center strand endless chain and night type including an endless chain I4 having spaced apart flights I5, I5 secured thereto and projecting laterally therefrom in opposite directions.

The continuous tread devices II, II are suitably mounted at opposite sides of the main frame on drive sprockets I1, I1 nearvthe rear end of the frame, and on idler sprockets I3, I5 at the front of the frame.' A. plurality of intermediate bogie wheels I3, I3 engage the underside of the lower run of said tread devices. Said sprockets and bogie wheels are supported on suitable shafts which have bearingvat their inner ends on the main frame and at their outer ends in overhanging brackets 2|, 2| at opposite sides of the main frame (see Figures 4, 5, I8, 11 andl5). Details of the endless tread structures and their supporting means need not here bedescribed further as they form no part of the present invention.

'I'he gathering element I2,4 conveyer I3, and continuous tread devices II, II are driven from a pair of connected motors 23, 23 mounted on opposite sides of the main frame I3, just rearwardly 0f the tread devices II, II. Said motors project laterally from opposite sides of the conveyer I3 and are each provided with a transversely extending motor shaft 24 having a motor pinion 25 on the inner end thereof. Said pinions each mesh with a spur gear 26 on the outer end of a transversely extending shaft 21. Said shafts are coaxially arranged and are journaled in housing and bearing supports 29, 23, spaced upwardly from a bottom plate 33 of the main frame I0 and herein shown as being sup ported thereon and secured to and projecting inwardly from the end plates of the motors 23, 23.

nects the forward end of said shaft with a longitudinally extending shaft 43 mounted adjacent the forward end of said main frame on ball bearings 41, 41. A' bevel pinion 43 on the forward end of said shaft forms a means for driving said gathering elements and conveyer in all positions of said gathering elements with respect to said main frame, in a manner which will hereinafter be described as this specification proceeds.

It should here be noted that the tube 43 extending through the fluid storage tank 44 prevents the shaft 42 from dropping, when the shaft 35 is removed from the universal coupling 4I, so said shaft may readily( be connected with said universal coupling during assembly or repair of the machine, it being understood that the clutch ed thereon. 'I'he drive sprocket 50 serves to drive A bevel pinion 3I lis secured to the inner end of each of said shafts. Said bevel pinions mesh with a bevel gear 33 keyed to a sleeve 34, mounted on a longitudinally extending shaft 35 for free rotation with respect thereto.: Said bevel gear connects said motors together to operate as a unit.

'I'he sleeve 34 is also mounted on a ball bearing 36 mounted in a bearing support 31, suitably mounted on the main frame III. Said sleeve has a casing 38 of a friction clutch 33 formed integrally therewith, and forms a drive means for said clutch. Said clutch is herein shown as being a friction disk clutch and is controlled by suitable fluid control means, not herein described since they are no partv of my present invention, to selectively connect said bevel gear 33 and sleeve 34 to said shaf-t 35 and to slip to relieve said motors 23,-23 from overload conditions when the loads on said shaft are over a predetermined value.

The shaft 35 is journaled in a bearing support 40 at its forward end and forms a means for driving the gathering mechanism I2 and' conveyer I3 through a universal Acoupling 4I and a longitudinally extending shaft 42, extending through a tubular opening 43 formed in a tank 44 for storing fluid for the fluid operating parts of the machine. A universal coupling 45 cona fluid pump 53 through a chain and sprocket drive 54 (see Figure 7). Said fluid pump may be of any well known form and'is provided to supply fluid under pressure to the fluid operating parts of the machine.

The other drive sprocket 5I serves to drive one of the continuous tread devices through a drive chain 55, meshing therewith, and meshing with a sprocket 5B on a transversely extending shaft 51. 'I'he drive from each motor 23 to each continuous tread device is they same, so the drive to one of said tread devices only will herein be described in detail. The transverse shaft 51 is journaled in a housing and bearing support 55 on spaced ball bearings 50, 30 and extends inwardly from said sprocket towards side plate 6I of the main frame I0 (see Figures 10 and 11). Said shaft has two spur pinions 53 and 54 formed integrally therewith, the pinion 54 being of a larger diameter than the pinion 53 (see Figures 12 and 13). The inner end of said shaft is journaled in i a ball bearing mounted on the inner end of said housing and bearing support 59. The spur pinion 63 meshes with an idler gear 56 joumaled in said housing and bearing support, and meshing with a spur gear 31, herein shown as being formed integrally with a housing 55 for a clutch 13. Said clutch housing is journaledon a transversely extending shaft 1I, supported adjacent its outer end in the housing and bearing support 53, on a pair of spaced ball bearings 12, 12 and .lournaled at its inner end in said housing and bearing support on a ball bearing 13.

The clutch 13 may be of any well known form v but, as herein shown, is of a friction disk type including a plurality of interengaging friction disks 14,14, alternate disks of which are splined to the inner periphery of the housing 65. The

other disks are splined on an inwardly projecting portion 15 of a drive member 15, keyed on the 'shaft 1I intermediate the ends thereof. An enaxial with the engaging member 11, to engage said clutch in the usual manner and drive the drive member 16 and shaft 1I in a reverse direction from which it is driven from the clutch 10.

A shifting collar 83, journaled on the engaging members 11 and 82, is provided to shift said members along the drive member 16, to engage or disengage either of the clutches 10 or 8| (see Figures 10 and 12). Said shifting collar is operated by means of a clutch yoke 84, pivotally connected to opposite sides of said clutch collar and pivoted intermediate its ends on a vertical pivotal pin 85. The free end of said clutch yoke extends within a cylinder 86 and is operatively connected with a pair of connected spaced pistons 81, 81 mounted within said cylinder. Suitable fluid pressure connections are provided to opposite ends of said cylinder for operating said clutch fork and` shifting yoke, so as to selectively engage one clutch and permit the other to be released to provide a simplified form of reverse drive for thef shaft 1 I.

The shaft 1| has a pair of spaced drive sprockets 88, 88 keyed thereto between the ball bearings 12, 12. Drive chains 89, 89 meshing with said sprockets, mesh with and drive sprockets 90, 90 on the outer end of a transverse shaft 9|. Said transverse shaft has the drive sprocket I1 mounted thereon, for driving said drive sprocket and the associated continuous tread device II.

Separate uid control valves (not shown) are provided to control the admission and release of fluid under pressure to each end of each cylinde: 86, so the continuous tread devices |I, I may be independently driven from the motors 23, 23 in 1 reverse directions, without reversing the direction of rotation of said motors. Said fluid control valves and the fluid connections to said cylinders will not herein be shown or described, since they form no part of my present invention.

The gathering and loading element I2 is supported for vertical tilting movement on a frame 93, the upper portion of which forms an inclined trough for the receiving end of the conveyer I3. Said frame is transversely pivoted adjacent its rear end on the forward end of a laterally swinging frame 94, on the outer peripheries of transversely extending bearing support bosses 95, 95, the insides of which bosses form bearing supports for a transverse drive shaft 96, coaxial with the horizontal pivotal axis of said frame 93 (see Figures 15, 18 and 19). Said transverse shaft forms a drive shaft for the conveyer chain I4.

The laterally swinging frame 94 has a widened forward portion 91 slidably mounted on and projecting forwardly of the forward end of the bottom plate 30 of the main frame I0. The rear portion of said laterally swinging portion converges to a pair of vertically spaced hollow upright bosses 98, 99. The lower of said bosses (98) is mounted on a lower end of a vertical shaft or pivot post |00, secured to the bottom plate 30 and projecting upwardly therefrom. The upper of said bosses f 99) is rotatably mounted on the outside of a depending hollow boss I herein shown as being formed integrally with a transversely extending plate |03 extending across the upper portion of the main frame I0 (see Figure 4).

'I'he shaft |00 is secured at its upper end to the transverse plate |03 as by a nut |04, and has a bevel gear journaled thereon. Said bevel gear is meshed with and driven from the bevel pinion 49 on the forward vend of the longitudinal shaft 46, and meshes with and drives a bevel pinion |01` keyed on the rear end of a longitudinal shaft |09. Said longitudinal shaft is journaled in the swinging frame 94 on ball bearings III, mounted in a bearing support |I2 and in a ball bearing II3 mounted in an end cap piece ||4 secured to said frame. Said shaft |09 forms a means for driving the gathering mechanism of the loader head I2 and the conveyer I 3, as will hereinafter be described.

The gathering element |2 herein shown is of a well known type and includes an inclined apron II5 mounted on the forward upper end of the intermediate frame 93 and extending thereacross and across the front end of the conveyer I3 (see Figures 1 and 17). A pair of chain guiding members ||1., I|1 having Vendless chains ||8, ||8 guided for orbital movement thereabout are mounted on the top side of said plate as usual, so as to extend along opposite sides of and forwardly of said conveyer. A plurality of gathering arms II9, |I9 are carried by said endless chains for picking up material from the ground and moving it along the forward portion of said plate onto the conveyer.

The gathering chain-s |I8, II8.mesh with and are driven from sprockets |20, |20, herein shown as being splined on the upper ends of vertical shafts I 2|, |2I. Said shafts are journaled in the frame 93 beneath the apron I I5 in a well known manner, and have bevel gears |22, |22 keyed thereto and meshing with and driven from bevel gears |23, |23 on the forward ends of longitudinal shafts |24, |24 (see Figure 1'1).

The drive to the left-hand gathering element and longitudinal shaft |24 includes a universal coupling |25 secured to the rear end of each shaft |24, for driving said shaft from an extensible drive shaft |26. The rear end of said extensible drive shaft is connected with a longitudinal shaft |21 by means of a universal coupling |29. Said longitudinal shaft |21 is journaled in a housing and bearing support secured to and projecting forwardly from the forward end of the widened portion 91 of said swinging frame 94. A chain and sprocket drive |32 connects said shaft with the longitudinal shaft |09.

The drive to the right-hand gathering element is similar to the drive to the gathering element just described except that a spur gear |35 keyed on the longitudinal shaft |09 meshes with and drives a spur gear |36 on a parallel shaft |31. Said last mentioned shaft has drive connection with parallel shaft |40, which is journaled in the right-hand widened portion 91 of the swinging frame 94 through a chain and sprocket drive yindicated generally by reference character |4I.

The drive from said longitudinal shaft to the right-hand gathering element is the same as that just described in connection with the left-hand gathering element, so the same part numbers will be applied to like parts rand the description thereof will not herein be repeated.

The conveyer I3, which extends continuously from the gathering element I2 to the rear end of the machine, consists generally of a plurality of aligned trough sections including an inclined front trough section |43 extending along the intermediate frame 93 and tiltable therewith about the axis of the transverse shaft 96; a horizontal trough section |44 mounted on and swinging laterally with the swinging frame 94; a horizontal trough section |45 fixed on and extending across the top of the main frame l0; a vertically tilting trough section |46 connected thereto on a transverse axis near the rear end of the main frame; a laterally swinging trough section |41. pivotally connected to the rear end of the trough section |46 and overhanging the rear end of the machine; and nally, an overhanging vertically tilting trough section |45 transversely pivoted to the rear end of said laterally swinging trOugh section |41.

The endless chain |4 extends from an idler |56 mounted on a transverse shaft |5| at the front of the machine, upwardly along a bottom plate |56 of the inclined trough section |46. From thence it extends along the trough sections |44, |45, |46, |41 and |45, to and around an idler |54 on a transverse shaft |55 at the rear of the machine. Said chain reverses its direction of travel around said idler and extends forwardly from said idler beneath the bottom of the material carrying portion of the conveyer and its return run is slidably supported on a supporting plate |56, spaced beneath the material carrying portion of said vertically tilting section. From thence said chain extends along supporting plates |51, |55, |55 and |66 of the respective trough sections 41, |46, |45 and |44. Said chain extends from said last mentioned plate over an idler |6| disposed rearwardly of the transverse shaft 56 (see Figure 3). From said idler roller said chain extends downwardly and around a drive sprocket |62 keyed on said transverse shaft 56 and over an idler roller |66, to and around the idler |56 at the front end of the inclined trough |46.

'I'he drive to the transverse shaft 56 and drive sprocket |62 includes a spur gear |64 on said transverse shaft. which meshes with and is driven from a spur gear |65 on a parallel transverse shaft |66 disposed at the left-hand side of the machine (see Figure 15). A bevel gear |61 is keyed on the outer end of said transverse shaft and meshes with and is driven from a bevel gear |66 keyed on the longitudinal shaft |21.

|46, |46 foried in side walls |52, |52 of said trough (see Figures 2 and 11).

The bottom chain supporting plate |56 of said vertically tilting trough, which forms a support for the lower run of the conveyer, is part of 'a supplemental frame |15. Said supplemental frame extends rearwardly from the stub shafts |11, |11 beyond the rear end of the main frame 6 and forms a support for the vertically tilting trough |46 and the laterally swinging trough |41. Said supplemental frame has a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting bracket members |6I, |6| disposed adjacent the rear end of the main frame. Each of said bracket members has the upper end'of a piston rod |62 transversely plvoted thereto on a pivotal pin |56. Said pis- Aton rod is extensible from a hollow piston |64 The spaces between the side walls of the latery ally swinging horizontal trough |44 and the stationary horizontal trough |45 are closed in all positions of said laterally swinging trough with respect to said horizontal trough by means of a pair of flexible side walls |65, |65. Said side walls are each secured to the inner side of side walls |16, |16 of the horizontal laterally swingable trough |44, and extend rearwardly therefrom and have slidable engagement with the inner sides of side walls |1|, |1| of the stationary horizontal trough |45. Said flexible side walls are guided in longitudinally extending slots |12, |12, formed in the side walls |1|, |1|, by means of gibbed guide members |16, |16 extending through said slots (see Figures 4 and 16). Said guide members are secured to said flexible side walls at their inner ends and engage the outsides of said side walls |1|, |1|.

A bottom plate |14 of said horizontal trough |45 has a fan-shaped forward end which extends. forwardly from said trough across the pointof articulation of the conveyer and laterally beyond the flexible side walls |65, |65. The arcuate forward end of said bottom plate has slidable 'engagement with a convex arcuate face |15 of a bottom plate |16 of the laterally swinging horizontal trough |44, to provide a continuous bot-I tom between said troughs in'all positions of lateral adjustment of the gathering element |2 with respect to the main frame I6.

The vertically tilting trough |46 is transversely pivoted to the main frame |6 on a pair of stub shafts |11, |11 extending inwardly from upward extensions |16, |16 of the side walls 6|,

6| of said main frame and mounted in bosses 75 'positions of articulation thereof.

mounted within a cylinder |65. Said cylinder has a concave spherical recessed bottom portion |66 mounted on a ball-shaped head |61 of a bolt |66. Said bolt extends through a transverse plate of the main frame I6 and is secured thereto by means of a nut |56 (see Figures 5 and 9). The admission of fluid under pressure to the head ends of said cylinders will thus elevate the trough sections |46, |41 and |45 about the axes of the stub shafts |11, |11.

A bottom plate |5| of the vertically tilting trough section |46 has a rear widened fan-shaped portion extending laterally beyond the sides of said trough and forming a bottom for the rear articulated portion of the conveyer, when in all The arcuate rear end of said fan-shaped portion is adapted to engage a concave arcuate forward end of a bottom plate |52 of the laterally swinging trough The gaps between the side walls of said troughs are closed by the flexible side walls |56, |56 engaging the insides of side walls |54, |54 of the trough section |41 in a usual manner. Said flexible side walls are guided in slotted guides |55, |55 by means of gibbed guide members |56, |56, projecting outwardly from said flexible side walls through said slotted guides and engaging the outsides of the side walls |54, |54 (see Figure 2).

'I'he pivotal connection between the laterally swinging trough |41 and the tilting trough |46 includes a pivotal pin |55, secured to and depending from the plate |55 of the supplemental frame |15, and having a guide block 266 pivotally mounted thereon. Said guide block is slidably guided in a longitudinal slot 26| formed in a plate 262. Said plate 262 is secured to the bottom of the chain supporting plate |51 of the laterally swinging trough |41 and extends forwardly therefrom beneath the plate |55 of the frame |15, and is slidably movable with respect to said last mentioned plate. A widened supporting member 266 is secured to the bottom plate |56 and projects vrearwardly therefrom. Said supporting member has a widened fanshaped rear end disposed rearwardly of the plate 262, and has an open central portion 264 extending around said plate 262. Said support member 266 forms a support for said laterally swinging trough on flat bearing members 265, 265 extending along the bottom of the supporting plate |51 and resting on the upper side of said support member. A transversely extending arcuate guide slot 266 is formed in said support member 266, which is adapted to be engaged by a guide block 261 pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 266, secured to and depending from the bottom of the supporting plate |51, to reclextensible therefrom (see Figure l).

tilinearly move said laterally swinging trough along the guide block 200, guided in the guide slot to extend. 0r retract said trough during swinging movement thereof so as to maintain the conveyer chain i4 taut in al1 positions of adjustment of said laterally swinging trough.

The rear vertically tilting trough |49 is provided with a pair of brackets 209, 209 projecting laterally and forwardly from opposite sides of the forward end thereof. Pivotal pins 2|0, 2|0, extending through said brackets and through bosses 2| 2|| projecting laterally from the side plates of said laterally swinging trough, are provided to pivotally connect said troughs together. Adjustment of said troughs is effected by means of bolts 2|3, 2|3. Each of said bolts has a ballshaped head which is engaged in a ball-shaped socket formed in a lug 2|4 projecting laterally from a side wall of the laterally swinging trough section |41. Said bolts each extend through an apertured lug- 2| 5 projecting outwardly from a side wall of the trough |49. Adjustment is effected by means of lock nuts 2|6, 2|6 on the ends of said bolts. The discharge end of the conveyer may thus be vertically adjusted so it may be maintained in a horizontal position when the troughs |46 and |41 are in an elevated position, to keep down the height of the overhanging rear end-of the conveyer, and may be tilted downwardly to extend into a mine car or like receptacle, when loading under limited'headroom.

The discharge end of the conveyer is swung laterally by means of a cylinder 2|9 vertically pivoted to a bracket 220, projecting laterally from the right-hand side wall |94 of the laterally swinging trough section |41, adjacent the rear end thereof. A piston rod 222 extensibly mounted in said cylinder is pivotally connected at its free end to a laterally projecting portion of the support frame 203, by means of a pivotal pin 223. i

The inclined trough |43 and the gathering mechanism I2 are swung laterally with respect to the main frame about the axis of connection of the hollow bosses 99 and 99 to the forwardly projecting portion of the main frame I0, by meansof a cylinder 224 having a piston rod 225 extensible therefrom. Said cylinder, as herein shown, is lpivotally connected at its head end to a bracket 226 projecting laterally from said main frame. Said piston rod is pivotally connected to a bracket 228 projecting upwardly from the lefthand side of the laterally swinging frame 94 (see Figures 1, 2 and 4). f

The gathering element I2 and inclined trough |43 are elevated or lowered about the axis of the shaft 96 by means of a pair of laterally spaced cylinders 230, 230 having piston rods 23|, 23|

Said cylinders, as herein shown, are transversely pivoted at their head ends to brackets 232, 232, projecting upwardly from and formed integrally with the swinging frame 94. Said piston rods are 'pivotally connected to brackets 233, 233 formed integrally with the frame 93 and disposed just rearwardly of the upper rear end of the apron ||5.

A pair of preloaded compression springs 235, 235 are provided to tend to move the forward end of the gathering element |2 out of engagement with the ground during operation of the machine, to transmit a greater part of the Weight of the gathering and loading element tothe swinging frame 94, to prevent overbalancing of the machine When said Agathering and loading element is in engagement with lthe ground. As herein shown, each of said springs encircles an eyebolt 236, transversely pivoted to a bifurcated bracket 231, by means of a pivotal pin 238. Said bifurcated bracket is herein shown `as being a part of the intermediate frame 93 and is disposed adjacent the upper rear end of the inclined apron ||5, outside of the trough section 43. The opposite end of said eyebolt is threaded in a flanged sleeve 239, the flange of which sleeve is abutted by the rear end of said spring. Said sleeve abuts an abutment member 240, transversely pivoted to a bracket 24|, projecting upwardly from the widened portion 91 of the swinging frame 94. The flanged sleeve 239 is slidably movable with respect to said abutment member on a plurality of threaded rods 243, 243. Said rods extend through and slidably engage said abutment member and flanged sleeve and extend through the ange of a flanged collar 244 at their opposite ends. Said flanged collar is mounted on said eyebolt and abuts the eye thereof. Suitable nuts threaded on the forward ends of said rods abut the forward face of said collar. The flange of said flanged collar is 'abutted by the forward end of said spring. Suitable nuts threaded on the rear ends of said rods abut the rear end of the abutment member 240, to cause said rods to compress their associated spring upon lowering of the gathering element. This will cause opposite springs to tend to elevate said gathering element through said flanged sleeves 239, 239 and said eyebolts 235, 236.

It should here be noted that the elevating cylinders 230, 230 are disposed in an elevated position, but are just beneath the top of the conveyer trough 43, instead of beneath the bottom of the inclined conveyer trough, as is usual. This arrangement removes all obstructions from underneath the gathering element and the inclined elevating portion of the conveyer and provides suflicient clearance to permit the machine to pick up material from the ground, where the bottom is rough or irregular, or where the gathering element is positioned to load from a bench spaced above the bottom proper, or over obstructions on the bottom.

A means is provided to take care of the variation in length of the endless chain |4 as the inclined trough section of the conveyer is swung laterally to position the gathering element |2 to one side or the other of the truck |0. Said means includes means for moving the idler |50 longitudinally of the inclined trough 43, upon lateral swinging movement thereof. The shaft |5I, upon which said idler is journaled, is slidably mounted in slots 2,41, 241 formed in opposite side walls of the frame 93. A collar 248 is secured to each end of said shaft. Each of said collars has a longitudinal rod 249 secured to and projecting rearwardly therefrom. The opposite ends of said rods are each slidably mounted in a sleeve 25| secured to and extending forwardly from a cylinder 252. Said cylinders 4and sleeves extend along the outsides of the side walls of the trough |43 and are each abuttedv by the rear end of a compression spring 253. Each of said springs encircles one of said rods and j said sleeve and is abutted by a collar 254 at its of coal or rock might get between the conveyer chain and the idler |59 or between the chain and the bottom plate |58.

Each cylinder 252 is provided with a rearwardly projecting bifurcatedbracket portion 255, to which is pivotally connected a longitudinally extending link 258 by means of a pivotal pin 251. Each of said links, as herein shown, is of a substantially arch-shaped formation having a downwardly curved forward end pivotally connected to the bracket 255 and having a depending rear end secured to the outside ofv a member 289. Said links are each slidably guided intermediate their ends in guides 259, 259. Said guides extend along opposite outer sides of the trough section |88. Said member 288, as herein shown. is of a substantially Y-shaped formation having a link 258 secured to each end of its fork and provided with a longitudinal guide portion 28| extending forwardly from the center of its fork. A stem 282 of the Y also forms a guide portion for said member. Said guide portions are slidably guided in aligned longitudinal guides 258, 288, respectively, formed in the swinging frame 98. A pivotal pin 255 is secured` to and projects upwardly from the central part of the member 289 and has a guide block 288 pivotally mounted thereon. Said guide block, as herein shown, is slidably mounted in an arcuate guide 281 formed in a plate 289 secured to and spaced beneath the bottom supporting plate |59 of the horizontal trough section |85 of the conveyer (see Figures 1, 4 and 14). As the frame 98 and inclined trough |88 of the gathering element I2 are swung from side to side, the guide block 288 will move the member 288 and links 258, 259 in a retracted position, to permit the chain to' retractibly move the shaft I5| and lrods 289, 289 a corresponding amount, and when said gathering element is in a longitudinally extended position, said member guided in the guide 281 will extensibly move said transverse shaft, so as to maintain a uniform tension on the conveyer chain I8 in al1 positions of the gathering element |2 with respect to the main frame I8.

It may be seen from the foregoing that uniform tension is maintained on the chain I8 when the trough |88 is in various positions of lateral adjustment with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine. by moving the idlers |58 as the said trough swings laterally so the length of travel of said-chain is the same in all positions oi' adjustment of said trough, and that this tension means permits a soiid'verticai pivot to be provided for the frame 98 and trough |88, so that the gathering element I2 may be rammed into a standing fall of coal by the action of the tread devices II, with suiiicient force to break the coal down onto the conveyer I8.

Means are provided to overcome the tendency of the chain to twist or turn over as it reaches the top of the inclined trough |88 and turns laterally at an extreme angle, when the gathering element I2 is in engagement with the ground and said inclined trough is positioned laterally with respect to the longitudinal center line of the machine. Such a means is desirable because the chain I8, outside of its` inherent lateral flexibility, is only laterally flexible at its points of connection to the flights I5, I 5. This lack of lateral flexibility between the nights, together with the fact that the chain is negotiating two angles at the same time and is guided only on the ends of the flights of the conveyer, places a twisting action on the chain which is not present when the chain is turning in a lateral direction only. Said means,

as herein shown, comprises a pair of angles 218. 219 secured to the inside of the side plates of the trough section |88 and extending therealong. 'I'he horizontal legs of said angles engage the upper sides of the flights I8, I5 and form a holddown means therefor.

In a like manner, a pair of angles 21|, 21| extend along opposite inner sides of the side walls |18, |18 of the horizontal trough |88 of the conveyer, and a plurality of articulated holddown guides 218, 218 are secured tothe inner sides of the flexible side walls |89, |89 and extend therealong. As herein shown, said articulated hold-down guides include a plurality of guide members 218, 215 loosely mounted in the flexible side wall |89 by means of bolts 218, 218 extending outwardly therefrom. An upright member 211 encircles eazch bolt and extends vertically along the outer side of the flexible side wall |89, while a nut 218 threaded on the end of each bolt is provided to retain said articulated hold-down guide in position. The hold-down guide 218 is provided with a pair of plates 219, 219 projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, which are adapted to engage the upper side of a next adjacent hold-down guide 215. Said holddown guide 215, except for the plates 219, 219, is exactly like the hold-down guide 218 and is mounted in the flexible side wall |89 in the same manner as the hold-down guide 218, so will not be described further: The construction just described thus forms an articulated hold-down guide which will articulate upon flexion of the Aflexible side walls |89, |89, and will slidably engage the upper ends of the flights |5,\ I5 in all '1 positions of articulation of the front part of the conveyer, to prevent twisting of the chain I8 when the inclined elevating trough |88 is in the extreme laterally and downwardly displaced position with respect to the horizontal stationary trough |85,

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limitedin the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a low type loading machine, a main frame, a continuous conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the top thereof and beyond the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough extending in advance of said main frame and mounted thereon for lateral swinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a. horizontal trough extending over the top of said main frame, flexible side walls connecting said troughs together, to form a continuous trough when said inclined trough is in various positions of adjustment with respect to said horizontal trough, an endless chain having spaced flights projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said flights forming a guide means on their ends for said chain and forming a material moving means for said conveyer, and means to r'estrain said chain from twisting when said elevating trough is at an inclined and laterally displaced position with respect to said horizontal trough including hold-down means extending along the sides of said elevating trough and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights, and other hold-down means secured to said flexible side walls and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights as said flights pass by the point of articulation of said conveyer.

2. In a low type loading machine, a main frame, a continuous conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the top thereof and beyond the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough extending in advance of said main frame and mounted thereon for lateral swinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a horizontal trough extending over the top of said main frame, flexible side walls connecting said troughs together, to form a continuous trough when said inclined trough is in various positions of adjustment with respect to said horizontal trough, an endless chain having spaced flights projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said flights forming a guide means on their ends for said chain and forming a material moving means for said conveyer, and means to restrain said chain from twisting when said elevating trough is at an inclined and laterally displaced position with respect to said horizontal trough including hold-down means extending along the sides of said elevating trough and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights, and articulated hold-down means secured to said flexible side walls and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights as they pass by the point of articulation of said conveyer.

3. In a low type loading machine, a main frame, a continuous conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the top thereof and beyond the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough extending in advance of said main frame and mounted thereon for lateralvswinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a horizontal trough extending over the top of said main frame, flexible side walls connecting said troughs together, to form a continuous trough when said inclined trough is in various positions of adjustment with respect to said horizontal trough, an endless chain having spaced flights projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said flights forming a guide means on their ends for said chain and forming a material moving means for said conveyer, and means to restrain said chain from twisting when said elevating trough is at an inclined and laterally displaced position with respect to said horizontal trough including holddown means extending along the sides of saidl elevating trough and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights, and other hold-down means secured to said flexible side walls and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights as they-pass by the point of articulation of said conveyer, said last mentioned hold-down means-including a plurality of 'inter-engaging hold-down guides mounted on said flexible side walls and extending in- Wardly therefrom.

cal adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a horizontal trough extending over the top of said main frame, ilexible side walls connecting said troughs together, to form a continuous trough when said inclined trough is in various positions of adjustment with respect to said horizontal trough, an endless chain having flights projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said flights forming a guide means on their ends for said chain and forming a material moving means for said conveyer, and means to restrain said chain from twisting when said elevating trough is at an inclined and laterally displaced position with respect to said horizontal trough including hold-down guide means extending along the sides of said elevating trough and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights, and other hold-down guide means secured to said flexible side walls and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights as they pass by the point of articulation of said conveyer, said last mentioned hold-down guide means including a plurality of hold-down guides extending inwardly from said flexible side walls and loosely mounted thereon for pivotal movement with respect thereto about axes extending transversely of said flexible side walls, and interengaging connections between said guides, to limit pivotal movement thereof.

5. In a low type loading machine, a main frame, a pair of laterally spaced continuous tread devices for supporting and propelling said main frame, a continuous conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the top thereof, beyond the rear end thereof, includins an inclined elevating trough extending in advance of said mainframe and mounted for lateral swinging movement with respect thereto and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a central trough mounted on said frame and forming a continuation of said inclined elevating trough, and a rear discharge trough forming a continuation of said central trough, said rear discharge trough being laterally swingable about a vertical axis and being vertically adjustable about a transverse axis, an endless chain having spaced flights projecting laterally therefrom in opposite directions and movable from the forward end of said elevating trough to the rear end of said discharge trough, for conveying material therealong, said chain being guided for movement along said troughs on Vthe ends of its flights, hold-down guide 'means extending along opposite sides of said elevating trough for engaging the upper sides of said flights, and. other hold-down guide means extending across the point of articulation of said trough for engaging the upper sides of said flights, to prevent twisting movement of said chain when said chain, under tension, is turning in twoA directions, to follow said elevating trough and turn onto said central trough and said rear discharge trough.

6. In an articulated conveyer, a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swlngable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending along said troughs from one end of one trough to the opposite end of the other and including an idler mounted in one of said troughs, and a movable mounting for said idler arranged tol rectilinearly move said idler with respect to its trough upon horizontal swinging movement of said swingable trough across the front of said stationary trough, to maintain a uniform tension on said conveyer in all positions of said swingable trough with respect to said stationary trough. said mounting including a transverse guide disposed adjacent the point oi articulation of said conveyor, a control mem-ber guided therein, and operative connections between said control member and said idler, for rectilinearly moving said idler with respect to its trough upon movement of said control member along said guide.

'7. In an articulated conveyer, a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending along said troughs from one end of one trough to the opposite end of the other and including an idler mounted in one of said troughs, and a movable mounting for said idler arranged to rectilinearly move said idler with respect to its trough upon horizontal swinging movement of said swingable trough across the front of said stationary trough. to maintain a uniform tension on said conveyer in all positions of said swingable trough with respect to said stationary trough and including a stationary guide extending across said conveyer adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a control member slidably guided in said guide, and operative connections between said control member and said idler for rectilinearly moving said idler with respect to its trough in one direction or for permitting said chain to rectilinearly move said idler in an opposite direction upon movement of said control member along said guide.

8. In an articulated conveyer, a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending along said troughs from one end of' one trough to the opposite end of the other, a transverse shaft at the receiving end of said conveyer mounted in one of said troughs for longitudinal slidable movement with respec-t thereto, an idler on said shaft, and means connected with said shaft, for rectilinearly moving said shaft with respect to said swingable trough upon horizontal swinging movement of said swingable trough across the front of said stationary trough, for maintaining a uniform tension on said conveyer in all positions of articulation thereof including a stationary guide and operative connections between said guide and shaft.

9. In an articulated conveyer, a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending along said troughs from one end of one trough to the opposite end of the other, a transverse shaft mounted at one end of said conveyor for longitudinal slidable movement with respect thereto, an idler on said shaft, and means connected with said shaft, for rectilinearly moving said shaft with respect to said swingable trough upon horizontal swinging movement of said swingable trough across the front of said stationary trough, for maintaining a Iuniform tension on said conveyer in all positions of articulation thereof including a stationary guide extending across said conveyer adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a control member guided in said guide for slidable movement longitudinally of said conveyer, and an operative connection between said control member and said shaft, for rectilinearly moving said shaft upon movement of said control member along said guide.

l0. In an articulated conveyer, a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending along said troughs from one end of ane trough to the opposite end of the other, a

asaases transverse shaft mounted at one end of said conveyor for longitudinal slidable movement with respect thereto, an idler on said shaft. and means connected with said shaft, for rectilinearly moving said shaft with respect to said swingable trough, upon horizontal swinging movement of said swingable trough across the front of said stationary trough, for maintaining a uniform tension on said conveyer in all positions of articulation thereof including a stationary guide extending across said conveyer adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a control member guided for slidable movement longitudinally of said conveyer and moved longitudinally of said conveyer by said guide, and an operative connection between said control member and said shaft, for moving said shaft with said control member, said operative connection being yieldable. to permit yieldable movement of said shaft and idler with respect-to said trough, to prevent fouling of said conveyer when a lump of material lodges between said conveyer and idler or between the flights ,oi' said conveyer and the bottom of said troughs.

11. In an articulated conveyer, a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending alrmg said troughs from one end of one trough to the opposite end of the other including a center strand endless chain having nights projecting laterally therefrom and an idler at the receiving end of said conveyer about which said endless chain is adapted to reverse its direction oi travel, and a controlling connection to said idler arranged to positively move said idler with respect to said trough, upon movement oi said swingable trough across the front of said stationary trough, to maintain a uniform tension on said conveyer in all positions of adjustment of said movable trough with respect to said stationary trough,v including a stationary guide extending across said conveyer adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a control member having connection with said guide and guided for movement longitudinally of said movable trough, and an operative connection between said control member and said idler for rectilinearly moving said idler with said control member in one direction or for permitting said chain to move said idler in an opposite direction upon lateral swinging movement of said trough across the front of said stationary trough.

12. In an articulated conveyer. a pair of aligned troughs, one of which is horizontally swingable with respect to the other, an endless conveyer extending along said troughs from one end of one trough to the opposite end of the other including a center strand endless chain having flights projecting laterally therefrom and an idler at the receiving end of said conveyer about which said endless chain is adapted to reverse its direction of travel, anda controlling connection to slid idler arranged to permit said chain to retractlbly move said idler with respect to said troughs upon articulation of said conveyer and to positively extend said idler upon movement of said swingable trough to an aligned position with respect to said movable trough, to maintain a uniform tension on said conveyer in all positions ot adjustment of said movable trough with respect to said stationary trough, including a stationary guide extending across said conveyer adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a control member having connection with said guide and guided for movement longitudinally of said movable trough, and a connection between said control member and said idler for rectilinearly moving said idler with said control member, said connection including a yieldable member of sufficient strength to cause said connection to normally be a solid member, but to permit yieldable movement of said idler and prevent fouling of the conveyer when a lump of unbreakable material lodges between said chain `and idler, or between said chain and the bottom of said conveyer,

13. In a low type loading machine, a main frame, means for supporting and propelling said main frame, a conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough having gathering mechanism on the forward end thereof, and anothertrough extending along the top of 'said main frame beyond the rear end thereof, a center strand endless chain guided for movement along said troughs and having flights projecting laterally therefrom, for conveying material therealong, an idler at the forward end of said inclined elevating trough and forming a direction changing member for said chain, and rigid pivotal mountingsf for said inclined elevating trough on said main frame for mounting said inclined elevating trough for movement about both horizontal and vertical axes, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said chain upon swinging movement of said elevating trough across the front of said main frame, so arranged as not to be affected when said gathering element is engaged with the coal face with sufiicient force to break down the coal thereon including means for positively moving said idler with respect to said trough during swinging movement of said trough across the front of said main frame.

14. In a low type loading machine, va main frame, means for supporting and propelling said main frame, a conveyer extending from the ground in advance .of said main frame over the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough having gathering mechanism on the forward end thereof, and mounted on said main frame for movement with respect thereto about both horizontal and vertical axes, and another trough extending along the top of said main frame beyond the rear end thereof, a center strand endless chain guided for movement along said troughs and having flights projecting laterally therefrom, for conveying material therealong, an idler at the forward lend of said inclined elevating trough and forming a direction changing member for said chain, and means for maintaining a uniform tension on said chain upon swinging movement of said elevatig trough across the front of said main frame so arranged as to permit said gathering element to be engaged with a coal face with suiflcient force to break down the coal thereon including a stationary guide extending across said conveyer, adjacent the point of articulation thereof, a control member guided for slidable movement longitudinally of said conveyer and moved longitudinally of said conveyer by said guide upon lateral swinging movement of said conveyer, and an operative connection be-"\ tween said control member and said idler, for moving said idler with said control member` upon lateral movement of said trough.

15. In a lovwtyneV loading machine, a main frame, a continuous`conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the top thereof and beyond the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough extending in -advance of said main frame and mounted thereon for lateral swinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a horizontal trough extending over the top of said main frame, flexible side walls connecting said troughs together, to

Vform a continuous trough when said inclined trough is in various positions of adjustment with respect to said horizontal trough, an endless chain having spaced flights projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said nights forming a guide means on their-ends for said chain and forming a material moving means-for said conveyer, and means to restrain said chain from twisting when said elevating trough is at an inclinedand laterally displaced position with respect to said horizontal trough including hold-down means secured to said nexible side walls and adapted to engage the upper sides of said ilightsas said flights pass by the point of articulation of said conveyer.

16. In a low type loading machine, a main frame, a continuous conveyer extending from the ground in advance of said main frame over the top thereof and beyond the rear end thereof and including an inclined elevating trough extending in advance of said main frame and mounted thereon for lateral swinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and for vertical adjustment with respect thereto about a transverse axis, a horizontal trough extending over the top of said main frame, ilexible side walls connecting said troughs together, to form a contnuous trough 'when said inclined trough is in various positions oi' adjustment with respect to said horizontal trough, an endless chain having spaced flights projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said flights forming a guide means on their ends for said chain and forming a material moving means for said conveyer, and means to restrain said chain from twisting when said elevating trough is at an inclined and laterally displaced position with respect to said horizontal trough including articulated hold-down means secured to said flexible side walls and adapted to engage the upper sides of said flights as'they pass by the point of articulation of said conveyer.

FRANK CARTLIDGE. 

